On this day in 1870, under President Grant’s administration, Congress passed the Act to Establish the Department of Justice. Grant ordered the new Department to protect the newly freed African Americans in the South from the violence and intimidation of the Ku Klux Klan. The Department also served as the federal government’s enforcement mechanism for the various laws passed to stop the violence in the South. Park Historian and Curator Nick Sacco will give a presentation on the establishment of the Department of Justice and its importance to Reconstruction and the protection of civil rights. This program is one of the park’s Civic Season events.

Rio Vitale is a community leader in the legendary Italian enclave in St. Louis known as “The Hill.” He wrote the book on subject, titled the “St. Louis’ The Hill,” and has lectured extensively about the neighborhood.  He is an active member of Hill 2000, a neighborhood organization, having served as a board member and strategic planning chair.  He has produced the documentary America's Last Little Italy - The Hill chronicling the Italian immigrants in search of the American Dream.